Cauvery water row: Water dispute turns violent

Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday met top police officers even while pro-Tamil outfits announced agitations before establishments owned by Kannada people. Protection to Kannada firms throughout the state had been beefed up and large number policemen are seen in city suburbs like Tambaram in front of hotels run by Kannada people.

The state government had already deployed police force for about 110 establishments belonging to Kannada people in the city following protests in Karnataka against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. However, the situation in Tamil Nadu threatens to be more volatile following the attack on a Tamil youth by Kannada outfits. The video clippings went viral, triggering counter attacks in Tamil Nadu.

While petrol bombs were hurled on a three star hotel of a Kannadiga, activists of a few movements had damaged tourist buses from Karnataka in Rameswaram.
Pro-Tamil groups plan series of protests: Even while the next round of agitations began in Karnataka, pro-Tamil groups had announced a series of protests against Karnataka on the Cauvery issue.

They jumped onto the Cauvery bandwagon declaring that they would besiege banks, industries and commercial establishments run by Karnataka government and people.

Naam Thamizhar movement leader P. Seeman announced that his party would organise a ‘Cauvery rights retrieval rally’ in the city on September 15.
Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi headed by T. Velmurugan announced that all establishments in Tamil Nadu belonging to Karnataka would be besieged by cadre belonging to his organisation and other Tamil outfits from tomorrow.

AIADMK cadre too are restless following burning of effigies of party supremo and Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. But, they are unlikely to join the agitations without a direction from their leader. However, Velmurugan pointed out that Kannada chauvinists are depicting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in a derogatory manner and burning the effigies of the AIADMK leader.

Mainstream parties remained silent or exercised restraint on the issue. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi expressed regrets over the attack on Tamil youth and said such incidents in both states are not necessary.  

He also requested everyone not to indulge in such violent acts. However, he slammed Union Minister Uma Bharathi for her remarks supporting Karnataka and said it is one-sided and against the oath not to discriminate between two states.
CPM state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said turning the issue into a clash between the two states, damaging property and attacking people would not solve the issue.

He added that it was the duty of democratic movements to preserve peace. CPI leader R. Mutharasan said the attack on Tamil youth is provocative and sought protection for Tamils in Karnataka.